The investigators would like to investigate the effectiveness of somatosensory training for robot-assisted hand motor rehabilitation after stroke.
From previous studies, the investigators learned that stroke survivors with impaired finger proprioception did not achieve as large a functional benefit from robotic finger training. For this study, the investigators would like to determine if and the extent of finger proprioception can be improved through targeted robotic proprioceptive training combined with robotic finger movement training. The investigators would also include imagining studies via Electroencephalogram (EEG) and other baseline predictors to provide insight to determine who responds best to proprioceptive training.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
New FINGER exoskeleton is a robotic device that can provide assistance and resistance to thumb and finger movement
University of California Irvine
Irvine, California, United States
Box and Blocks Test
We compare the change of Box and Block Test scores from baseline evaluation to 1-month post intervention. Participants are instructed to move as many blocks as possible, one at a time, from one compartment in a box to a second compartment over a divider for a period of 60 seconds; each block that is moved is counted, and multiple blocks moved at the same time are counted as a single block. The higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: From baseline to 1-month post intervention
Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment of the Upper Extremity
We will measure the change of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment scores from the baseline evaluation to 1-month post intervention. Fugl-Meyer is a 66-point scale measuring the movement pattern of upper extremities. The higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: From baseline to 1-month post intervention
Motor Activity Log
We will measure the change of the Motor Activity Log (MAL) mean scores from the baseline evaluation to 1-month post intervention. The Motor Activity Log is a 30 questionnaire that collect subjective measure of an individual's real life functional upper limb performance. The higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: From baseline to 1-month post intervention
Changes in finger proprioception measured using the Crisscross Assessment.
We will measure the change in finger proprioception scores from the baseline evaluation to 1-month post intervention. Finger proprioception is measured by using the FINGER Crisscross Assessment which we slowly move the index and middle fingers with the FINGER robot past each other without any visual input. We then ask study participants to press a key when they feel the fingers are overlapped. Finger proprioception is measured by the error which will be quantified as the mean magnitude of finger separation error at the metacarpal joint when the key is pressed. The lower scores indicate a better outcome.
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Time frame: From baseline to 1-month post intervention